The above Seminole pieced border can be done by using two main fabrics picked up from the quilt itself. It can also use a third color in the triangles. As a rule, a straight of grain fabric band is added to each side of the pieced section. With strip piecing, the triangles on each side of the square have a bias edge, and the straight of grain band gives a stable edge to your quilt.
For this sample, I rotary cut three strips, two yellow, one green, each 2 1/2 inches wide and stitched them together for the pieced center. (Remember to switch ends when you add the 3rd strip to avoid curling of the strip.)Press seams toward the center strip. Cut 2 1/2 inch sections from this pressed setup.
The sections will be sewn together offset as shown here.
The seams will fit nicely together. Match the corners of the squares exactly. Press all seams in the same direction.
Lay your transparent ruler 1/4 inch above the tip of the center squares, and cut off the top portion. It is important to have that 1/4 inch as it will be the seam for attaching the band. You want to have a nice point on the center square when you add the edging strip to this pieced section. Repeat on the other side.
"The Quilters Ultimate Visual Guide" (Rodale Pub. 1997) has detailed instructions with diagrams for this border and its variations.
Another book that I refer to often is "Pieced Borders" (Crosley-Griffith Pub 1994) by Judy Martin and Marsha McCloskey. In their introduction they say "There's no question about it, pieced borders make a quilt special. Yet, admit it, most of us have slapped on four ordinary strips to finish a quilt even when we knew that it would look better with a pieced border." (This book is available in quilt shops and quilt book clubs.)
Take the time to plan for an interesting border as you plan the quilt. Adding a pieced border may mean fewer blocks will be needed in the quilt itself. Give this seminole border a try on your next quilt.
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